I'm building a built-in cubby bench that will sit underneath a window with a wall on its left side and a wardrobe on the opposite side. The bench will ultimately be painted.

Local lumberyard is selling 4x8 sheets of oak hardwood plywood for $100 and birch hardwood plywood for $120. Big box store has sanded plywood options at almost half that price, like $60-65 or so.

I'm going to ultimately paint this thing. Is it still worth it to buy the more expensive wood? Not sure what I am getting for the cost. I'm mostly just afraid of buying warped boards from Lowes since I don't have a jointer/planer.

So I’m new to learning about different wood in general.

I have this studio desk project I want to do, all the measuring and cut planning done. I just need to find a wood to use. I require 3, 4x8, 3/4” thick sheets of some kind of wood the cut out all the parts for it.

I was looking at home depot and saw a cheaper priced 3/4 plywood called “Sande.” I’m not super familiar with it, so I wanted to ask of anyone else finds it to be pretty durable to use as a desk material.

My other choice was oak plywood, but much more expensive here. Baltic birch would have been great but…talk about expensive.

I’m going to stain it a darker brown color and then maybe satin poly? Some kine of wax? I’m very much still learning that finishing part, but let’s start with getting some wood.

What is the difference or the pros and cons of these two 3/4” plywoods? I couldn’t visually tell a difference between the two when I went to take a look to compare in person. The sanded one felt more or less the same in roughness as the Radiata Pine one (they were both very dusty so couldn’t really tell). My current project is to build a TV console unit, but I’d like to understand the difference between the two for future projects as well. Thanks!

Sanded Plywood @ $65

Vs

Radiata Pine, Cabinet Grade Plywood @ $55